"Correct" place to stopre data files?

[Mitchell Vincent]

I've been somewhat confused about what the "proper" place is to store
data files (like file based databases) for my applications.

With all the different "special" folders available, which is the correct
one for databases that get updated every time a user runs the
application? I need to make sure that Windows 98 users can use my
software as well, but I also need make sure that the data file is always
accessible at a consistent location in my software.

Any tips appreciated!

 

[Marina]

You should be able to write to the Application.UserAppDataPath folder
safely.

 

[Mitchell Vincent]

You should be able to write to the Application.UserAppDataPath folder
safely.

Is that accessible to "all users"? I always install my software so that
any user on the system can access it.

 

[Marina]

Yes, this will be stored in each users's data directory. Try it out and run
some quick test to see if it meets your needs.

 

[Cor Ligthert [MVP]]

Mitchel,

Although not correct is the application.startuppath as well not a bad place.
We see it Microsoft do with Visual Studio Net.

I hope this helps,

Cor

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

Is that accessible to "all users"? I always install my software so that
any user on the system can access it.

Use
'Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData)'
instead.

 

[Mitchell Vincent]

Use
'Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData)'
instead.

I assume it works with Windows 98, but where is the actual directory on
a 98 box? I don't have one to test, or I would.

Thanks!

 

[Mitchell Vincent]

Mitchel,

Although not correct is the application.startuppath as well not a bad place.
We see it Microsoft do with Visual Studio Net.

I hope this helps,

Cor

That's what I do now, but I was thinking that in some multi-user setups
the user might not be able to write to the Program Files directory, so
all the writes to the database *could* fail in theory.

 

[Peter Huang [MSFT]]

Hi

I think in win98, it should be the directory similar with below
CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA,CommonApplicationData
C:\WINDOWS\All Users\Application Data

Best regards,

Peter Huang
Microsoft Online Partner Support

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